this Taliban Additional troops deployed around Kabul At the airport on Saturday to prevent large crowds from gathering after the devastating suicide attack two days ago, because the US-led large-scale airlift ended before the August 31 deadline.
New checkpoints appeared on the road to the airport, some of which were operated by armed Taliban men in uniform, carrying Hummers and night vision goggles. Afghanistan Security forces. In the past two weeks, large numbers of people gathered in the area where the Taliban wanted to escape from the country after the Taliban took over. It was basically empty.
The suicide attack launched by the Islamic State affiliate on Thursday killed 169 Afghans and 13 American soldiers, and there are fears that this much more radical organization than the Taliban may launch another attack. The U.S. military said it killed an Islamic State militant in a drone attack earlier on Saturday after U.S. President Joe Biden promised quick revenge.
Many Western countries have completed their withdrawal operations before the deadline for the withdrawal of all U.S. troops on Tuesday.
An Afghan who has worked as an interpreter for the US military said he was with a group of people who were allowed to leave and they tried to arrive at the airport later on Friday. After passing three checkpoints, they stopped at the fourth checkpoint. A dispute ensued, and the Taliban said that the Americans told them to let only American passport holders pass.
“I feel very desperate about my future,” the man told the Associated Press after returning to Kabul, who requested anonymity for safety reasons. “If the evacuation is over, what will happen to us?”
According to a video circulated online that is consistent with the Associated Press report, the Taliban fired warning shots and sprayed smoke of a certain color on the road leading to the airport on Saturday, causing dozens of people to disperse.
According to the United States, since the Taliban took over, more than 110,000 people have been safely evacuated through Kabul Airport, of which approximately 6,800 have been evacuated in the past 24 hours. But thousands more are working hard to leave and may not be able to leave before Tuesday.
In Kabul itself, hundreds of protesters, including many civil servants, gathered outside a bank, and countless people lined up in front of a cash machine. The protesters stated that they had not been paid in the past three to six months and were unable to withdraw cash. The ATM is still operating, but the withdrawal limit is around $200 every 24 hours.
Later on Saturday, the Central Bank ordered the opening of commercial bank branches, distributing up to $200 a day to customers, saying this was a temporary measure.
The Taliban’s takeover of the previous economic crisis earlier this month may have influence on Western countries as they urge the new Afghan ruler to form a moderate and inclusive government and allow people to leave after Tuesday.
U.S. military strikes killed 2 ISIS-K members believed to be behind the deadly Kabul bombing
Afghanistan relies heavily on international aid, which accounts for about 75% of the budget of the overthrown Western-supported government. The Taliban have stated that they want to maintain good relations with the international community and promised to adopt a more moderate form of Islamic rule than when they were in power last time, but many Afghans are deeply skeptical.
The Taliban can barely use the central bank’s US$9 billion reserves, most of which are held by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The International Monetary Fund also suspended transfers of approximately US$450 million. Without a regular supply of U.S. dollars, the local currency is at risk of collapse, which may cause the prices of basic commodities to soar.
At the same time, a UN agency warned that a worsening drought threatened the livelihoods of more than 7 million people. The Rome-based Food and Agriculture Organization says that Afghans are also suffering from displacement due to the coronavirus pandemic and recent fighting.
Earlier this month, the United Nations World Food Program estimated that about 14 million people — about one-third of Afghans — are in desperate need of food assistance.
FAO stated that critical help is needed before the winter wheat planting season that will begin in a month in many regions. The agency said that so far, the funds will only be used to assist 110,000 farmer families, while about 1.5 million families need help, adding that the current harvest is expected to be 20% lower than last year.
Biden has stated that he will abide by the August 31 deadline set by himself and withdraw all U.S. troops. The Taliban, which controls almost the entire country outside the Kabul Airport, refused any extension.
Italy said its final evacuation flight has landed in Rome, but it will cooperate with the United Nations and Afghanistan’s border countries to continue to help Afghans working with its military contingent to leave the country.
Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said on Saturday: “Our top priority must be not to give up the people of Afghanistan, especially women and children.” He said that the Italian Air Force evacuated 4,890 Afghans on 87 flights. People, but did not say how many people still meet the conditions.
After the explosion in Kabul killed more than 100 people, countries scrambled to airlift Afghans
The British Ministry of Defence stated that the last British evacuation flight for Afghan nationals left Kabul. More flights over the weekend will bring home British troops and diplomats, but they may also carry some remaining British or Afghan civilians.
The Taliban encouraged Afghans to stay in the country and even promised amnesties to those who fought with them. They have said that commercial flights will be resumed after the United States withdraws, but it is not clear whether airlines are willing to provide services.
The United States and its allies have stated that they will continue to provide humanitarian assistance through the United Nations and other partners, but any broader involvement—including development assistance—may depend on whether the Taliban fulfills their promise of more moderate rule.
When the Taliban ruled Afghanistan for the last time, from 1996 to 2001 during the US-led invasion, they gave a harsh interpretation of Sharia law. Women are basically confined at home, television and music are banned, and suspects are maimed or executed in public.
This time, the Taliban said that women will be allowed to go to school and work. They have been negotiating with senior Afghan officials in the previous government and said they want an “inclusive Islamic government.”
But even if the top leadership of the organization adopted a more moderate tone, there are still reports of human rights violations in areas controlled by the Taliban. It is not clear whether the fighters are acting under order or acting alone.
Earlier this week, Taliban militants assaulted a photographer of the private broadcaster Tolo TV in Kabul. Saad Mohseni, the group’s chief executive who owns the channel, said that the Taliban have kept in touch with the radio’s management on the matter. He said that the fighter has been identified, but it is unclear whether he faces any disciplinary action. The Taliban did not comment.
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Faiez reported from Istanbul and Klaus from Jerusalem. Associated Press writer Francis de Emilio in Rome and Kathy Gannon in Islamabad contributed.
© 2021 Canadian Press
